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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
In Acts 23 verse 33, Paul is handed over to Governor Felix in Caesarea, having been safely escorted from Jerusalem to the comparative security on the Mediterranean coast.
After fifteen years or so of faithful loyal obedient exciting ministry, Paul is now a permanent prisoner. You might think - what a shame - how disappointing - this man is being so limited. But our God can use, and does use these imprisoning situations - these times and seasons when we are physically limited and restricted in some way.
Jesus never looks for what man might regard as "success". Jesus looks for obedience and loyalty and faithfulness, in the lives of those whom He has called and chosen and saved and rescued and redeemed and anointed and guarded and guided.
Sometimes we need an awful lot of words to cover all that Jesus does for us, but He looks for obedience and faithfulness right to the very end.
Verse 34. The paperwork is checked, and Governor Felix decides to hear Paul's case when the Prosecution arrives from Jerusalem, some five days later. We are back in the legal setting as we move onto Chapter 24. Tertullus the Prosecutor presents the case against Paul. He is a very able lawyer - he knows his job - he is full of confidence - and he can speak - but what he says is not true. His conscience appears to be dead.
He begins by flattering Felix, and these things he says about Felix were just not true. Then, he begins to accuse Paul. We have found this man to be just a troublemaker - stirring up riots. He is a terrorist - a ringleader - all over the world! He even tried to desecrate - contaminate - pollute the Temple - by bringing someone who was not a Jew.
Do you see how half-truths can be twisted and distorted, especially when evil and hatred are the motivating influences? Here is a leading lawyer committing perjury with almost every word. It is possible to stifle your conscience until it is dead - until you no longer know the difference between right and wrong.
That is why I ask - What is Jesus Christ looking for in your life? Be careful not to twist or distort the truth of God, but speak honestly and openly and carefully remembering that one day we will be answerable for every word which comes from our lips.Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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